I have just taken my lurcher out for his walk and when we got to the end of our street an extremely large alsation dog ran of the field and attacked us. The alsation at the time could not see my dog as there is a high bank, it could only see my head and shoulders so in effect attacked me first. It then layed into my dog.
The owner had no control over this dog and even said to me 'it's a rescue dog and I never know how it is going to react but any way it doesn't bite.' The dog did indeed bite my dog.
My question is this:
Is a dog owner liable for the behaviour of its dog and should dogs be under control at all times?
2006-11-25 22:14:03 · 19 answers · asked by thecat 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Unfortunately there are no marks but I do know where the man lives. You're all correct about the rescue bit as my dog is also a rescue and he wasn't allowed of the lead for about 3 months when we got him.
Thanks so much for your answers they were all useful. and yes the alsation is ok my dog doesn't know how to growl let alone bite he just cowered and let it happen, he's now in his bed and refusing to come out!
2006-11-25 22:38:54 · update #1
Hello cat,
This type of incident really annoys me.
Yes, the owner is legally liable for the actions of their pet, certainly in public. All dogs must be "Under Control" of the owner at ALL times.
I have a rescue GSD and I am aware that he does not like other animals. I therefore keep him away from other animals and under strict control when I take him out. he is great with people but it only takes one mistake for a member of the public to be hurt. This is not acceptable.
2006-11-25 22:38:33 · answer #1 · answered by LYN W 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
oh my god yes dog owners are responsible, you should of taken your dog to a vet then it would of been proof that your dog was bittern then i would of sent the bill to him, i have a very big German Shepperd if i knew he wasn't good around dogs then i would be more careful. The dog being a rescue had nothing to do with it if your dog dont come back after you calling him then you shouldn't let him off the lead, that was the first thing i taught my dog was to come when called doesn't matter where my dog is if i call hes there even if eating his dinner, i know its a grown dog but you can teach the simply rules to an older dog it just takes longer i know Ive done it. Dogs can get enough exercise just by walking them long distances on a lead. You wouldn't put a drunk man behind the wheel of a car cause that could kill people so why let a person in control of a big dog that can kill people or other dogs that cant control them there your answer yes you should be in control of your dog at all times.
2006-11-25 23:09:18 · answer #2 · answered by LISA T 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes dogs should be under control at all times whether this is a lead or voice control. Since he admitted that the dog is unpredictable and he had no control over it, report it to the police. If your dog was injured requiring vet' treatment, the other dog's owner is liable for the cost of the treatment. Tell the police and he will get a warning. If it happens again, the dog could be put to sleep. If you say nothiung and just post here, how is this going to change his behaviour?
I have 8 dogs and irresponsible owners drive me wild.
2006-11-25 22:26:36 · answer #3 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a rescue dog is actually probably the worst excuse I've ever heard.. if he was rescue then surely he should be under firm control until the owner has rehabilatated him, which it doesn't sound like he has. Its pretty irresponsible leaving the dog free if you don't know its behaviour.
Its gonna be a sad thing, but you do need to tell the police if another dog bites, but I'm not sure how it effects it if its just a dog biting another dog as this isn't entirely uncommon.
2006-11-25 22:20:41 · answer #4 · answered by Cynical_Si 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes - the owner is responsible and if he knows his dog is unreliable he should be more careful. All dogs are capable of biting so the owner's response was a bit silly.
A dog is legally only 'under control' if it is on the lead.
For his dog's sake, as well as everyone else's, I hope he takes more care of it and keeps it out of trouble.
Glad you and your dog weren't hurt.
P.S. There is a very handy booklet available which is sponsored by Hills Pet Nutrition called ' Your Dog & the Law'.
2006-11-25 23:00:09 · answer #5 · answered by DogDoc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's up to the dog owner to control his dog, you should phone the police and report it befor the dog attacks someone else as a dog like that could do serious damage to an elderly person or a small child.
2006-11-25 22:21:37 · answer #6 · answered by Goofy Goofer Goof Goof Goof ! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's admirable that the guy took a rescue dog - I do the same myself. But by his own admission, he knows that the dog is unpredictable, so should have it on a lead at all times. If you had a child with you instead of a dog, the Alsatian would have been shot by now - what kind of a rescue is that?
He is liable for any vet's bills you incur (if you can find him)
2006-11-25 22:21:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The owner of the other dog obviously knows the dog is unpredictable and should be keeping the dog on a leash when out to prevent this sore of thing from happening.
2006-11-26 01:40:27 · answer #8 · answered by Shadow's Melon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As Cynical S says, being a rescue is no excuse. That dog needs trained pronto. Find out where they live and report them. The new owner is responsible for it and its actions. If a dog attacked me or either of my dogs like that there would be hell raised about it I can assure you.
2006-11-25 22:24:37 · answer #9 · answered by Roxy. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
3.—(1) If a dog is dangerously out of control in a public place—
(a) the owner; and
(b) if different, the person for the time being in charge of the dog,
is guilty of an offence, or, if the dog while so out of control injures any person, an aggravated offence, under this subsection.
(2) In proceedings for an offence under subsection (1) above against a person who is the owner of a dog but was not at the material time in charge of it, it shall be a defence for the accused to prove that the dog was at the material time in the charge of a person whom he reasonably believed to be a fit and proper person to be in charge of it.
(3) If the owner or, if different, the person for the time being in charge of a dog allows it to enter a place which is not a public place but where it is not permitted to be and while it is there—
(a) it injures any person; or
(b) there are grounds for reasonable apprehension that it will do so,
he is guilty of an offence, or, if the dog injures any person, an aggravated offence, under this subsection.
2006-11-25 22:24:57 · answer #10 · answered by simon 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋